Women in Biakwan community of Cross River State have expressed concern over the impact of deforestation on their livelihood.
They lamented that most of the produce from forest that provided income and food for their families, such as fruits, nuts, herbs, and mushrooms, were no more in existence.
They raised the concern at the weekend during a community meeting and launch of Small Grant Programme (SGP-GEF) on Women’s Right, Food Security and Restoration of Biakwan Community Conserved Area, held at Recreation Hall, Biakwan in Boki Council of the state.
The project is funded by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and facilitated by a grassroots non-governmental organisation, Biakwan Light Green Initiative (BLGI).
Speaking on behalf of the community women, mostly farmers, the women leader, Mrs Rose Bambu, said illegal forest activities had continuously affected their livelihood.
She assured them of women support for the project, noting that it was crucial to recognise and support important roles women play in forest conservation.
On the objective of the project, the Executive Director of BLGI, Mr Peter Bette, said the meeting was to introduce the BLGI project team to the community.
He added: “The project’s aim is to address women’s land tenure rights and sustainable forest management in the community.
“The activities are focused on environmental and human rights issues, increasing women’s involvement in forest governance, and creating a code of conduct to protect small-scale farmers, especially women, from societal norms and other factors that hinder their productivity.”
The Chairman of Board of Trustees, BLGI, John Tachen, said the meeting called for collaboration and regular engagement to unlock the potential of persons living close to forest.
An environmentalist and chief priest of the forest, Dr Odigha Odigha, urged the community to tap from the opportunity the project would offer.
